World Music CD reviews, artist profiles, concert reviews, and general articles about music from around the World.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

CD Review: Doctor L's 'The Great Depression'

Doctor LThe Great Depression
Comet

Doctor L is a fusion fellow with roots in Ireland, France, and Africa. The latter country is of utmost importance for his latest release, The Great Depression. Doctor L incorporates soothing downtempo hooks, a punch bass line, afro-beat funk, and world voicings into the mix. Various artists are captured on the album, including The Nairobi Descendants, Vodoo John, Allonymous, Tony Allen, Asa, Kiala Nzavotunga, Unknown Poets, David Walters, and Antibalas. The remarkable repertoire is heavily influenced by jazz, funk, improvisation, and global beat music with various languages spoken and numerous instruments make rhythms from all corners of the world. The upbeat, modern arrangements contain a variety of vocal samples, rock-driven segments, and funkadelic tunes that are so hot they melt the CD player...figuratively, of course. A plethora of male and female vocals, spoken word, rap, electronic noises, and mesmerizing arrangements put this album to the top of any global music chart with ease. ~ Matthew Forss